Top 10 Fashion Designers Name-Dropped in Hip Hop

Swagger on a Hundred, Thousand Trillion

Swagger on a Hundred, Thousand Trillion

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Since LL Cool J and Grandmaster Flash were rocking Kangols, hip hop and fashion have gone together like... hip hop and Dom Perignon. Both industries have heavily influenced each other since the early '80s, and sometimes things even come full circle, like when Kanye West designs his own line.

On the eve of New York Fashion Week, we did a little research (hat tip to Rap Genius) to uncover the 10 most name-dropped fashion designers in hip hop songs. Consider our list a 101 on the most popular couture labels, and start saving your money if you wanna roll with these guys—Target is not on the list.

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Versace

Versace

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Who: Versace

What: Possibly the most recognized name in fashion, the company rose to fame quickly after it started in 1978. Donatella Versace took over the company in 1997 after her brother, Versace founder Gianni, was killed. Almost every musician on the planet has worn Versace at some point, from Tupac and Michael Jackson to Madonna and Beyonce.

Where: Milan, Italy

Example lyric: Versace, Versace, Medusa head on me like I'm 'luminati/ This is a gated community, please get the f-ck off the property, - Migos, "Versace"

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Gucci

Gucci

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Who: Gucci

What: Founded by Guccio Gucci (really) in 1921, the company began making fine leather goods after its young founder was inspired by luxurious luggage. Today the company still makes leather goods, as well as high-end clothing, watches, jewelry and shoes.

Chanel

Chanel

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Who: Chanel

What: Famously founded by Coco Chanel in 1909, the brand became a household name after Marilyn Monroe told Life magazine in 1952 that the company's most recognized perfume, Chanel No. 5, is the only thing she wears to bed. Always marketed toward the upper crust, Chanel represents the ultimate in class.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

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Who: Louis Vuitton

What: Started in 1854 as a trunk manufacturer, Louis Vuitton, founded by Louis Vuitton himself, has gone on to become one of the largest fashion conglomerates in the world. Its parent company, LVMH, controls 60 high-end subsidiaries including Moët & Chandon, TAG Heuer and Sephora. In 2012, LV was worth almost $26 billion.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

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Who: Ralph Lauren

What: Ralph Lauren founder Ralph Lifshitz did things the old-fashioned way. After receiving a $50,000 loan to create a line of men's neckties in the '60s, he soon went on to launch Polo Ralph Lauren, the company's most recognized label. Today, RL owns several men's and women's labels as well as three subsidiaries: Club Monaco, Chaps and American Living. Lifshitz, who now goes by Ralph Lauren, is estimated to be worth $6.5 billion.

Where: New York, New York

Example lyric:Kanye's just as important as Michael Jordan / was to the NBA when he was scorin' / Ralph Lauren was borin' before I wore him -Kanye West on "Brand New" by Rhymefest

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Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin

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Who: Christian Louboutin

What: The story of Christian Louboutin is probably the most famous story about a cobbler who dropped out of school at 12-years-old and went on to run a $25 million business. Louboutin began sketching shoes in his early teens and later brought his sketches to couture houses all over Paris. After French designer Charles Jourdan gave him the chance to work with him, the rest became red-soled shoe history.

Where: Paris, France

Example lyric:I hate to see her poutin', She wants some Louboutins / I say how many pairs, she say who is counting? -Fabolous feat. Nicki Minaj, "For The Money"

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Yves Saint Laurent/Saint Laurent Paris

Yves Saint Laurent/Saint Laurent Paris

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Who: Yves Saint Laurent/Saint Laurent Paris

What: Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, or Yves Saint Laurent, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fashion names in history. After being mentored by fellow French designer Christian Dior, Saint Laurent founded the brand in 1962 at age 21. Since the designer's death in 2008, YSL has been renamed "Saint Laurent Paris," with Creative Director Hedi Slimane now at the helm.

Givenchy

Givenchy

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Who: Givenchy

What: The second-largest label under the LVMH umbrella, founding designer Hubert de Givenchy first made a name for himself with bouncy skirts and puffy blouses in the '50s. The brand's most famous client? Audrey Hepburn, who sported looks from the designer in Sabrina, How to Steal a Million and Breakfast at Tiffany's. In 2005, Riccardo Tisci took over as Creative Director.

Hermés

Hermés

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Who: Hermés

What: One of the oldest luxury fashion lines still around, Hermés was founded by designer Thierry Hermés in 1837. Though the label's most notable piece might be the infamous Birkin bag (average price: $80,000), the line originally manufactured bags specially designed for horse riders to carry their saddles.

Where: Paris, France

Example lyric:Fifty grand in that Hermés bag/ Cause reptile like all you snakes in the grass/ They like 'Girl you be killing 'em'/ No longer single, I just married Benjamins, - Lil' Kim, "Looks Like Money"

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Prada

Prada

Who: Prada

What: The luxury fashion line was founded by Mario Prada in 1913. Today, his youngest granddaughter, Muiccia Prada runs the business as well as her own line, Miu Miu. Prada is almost as famous for its boutiques as it is for its clothing, as the company has commissioned famous architects like Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & de Meuron to design two of its flagship stores. Last May, Kanye West debuted his "New Slaves" video on the side of NYC's Prada Fifth Avenue (watch it above). Also notable: The creepy-cool free-standing Prada store/ installation in Marfa, Texas.

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